Business tycoon Richard Branson had landed in India with an expired visa at the Mumbai international airport and was granted a Temporary Landing Permit by the authorities, a senior police official said on Friday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Deven Bharti said Branson was granted a TLP by an officer of the assistant commissioner of police rank.

"There is nothing unusual about granting a TLP as it is granted in cases where documents are proper and the visitor has a return ticket with him," Bharti said. Branson was given a 72-hour TLP Bharti said.

Branson was in India to launch additional flight services of his airline Virgin Atlantic.